OECD Health Working Papers
This series is designed to make available to a wider readership health studies prepared for use within the OECD. Authorship is usually collective, but principal writers are named. The papers are generally available only in their original language - English or French - with a summary in the other.
- ISSN: 18152015 (online)
- https://doi.org/10.1787/18152015
Health Workforce and International Migration
Can New Zealand Compete?
This paper examines health workforce and migration policies in New Zealand, with a special
focus on the international recruitment of doctors and nurses.
2. The health workforce in New Zealand, as in all OECD countries, plays a central role in the health
system. Nonetheless, maybe more than for any other OECD country, the health workforce in New Zealand
cannot be considered without taking into account its international dimension.
3. New Zealand has the highest proportion of migrant doctors among OECD countries, and one of
the highest for nurses. There is no specific immigration policy for health professionals, although the
permanent and temporary routes make it relatively easy for doctors and nurses who can get their
qualification recognised to immigrate in New Zealand. At the same time, New Zealand also has high
emigration rates of health workers, mainly to other OECD countries. International migration is thus at the
same time an opportunity and a challenge for the management of the human resources for health (HRH) in
New Zealand.
4. Increasing international competition for highly skilled workers raises important issues such as
sustainability and ability to compete in a global market. In this context, new approaches to improve the
international recruitment of health workers, as well as developing alternative policies, may need to be
considered. As for international recruitment, better coordination and stronger collaboration between main
stakeholders could contribute to more effective and pertinent international recruitment.
JEL:
I10: Health, Education, and Welfare / Health / Health: General;
F22: International Economics / International Factor Movements and International Business / International Migration;
J12: Labor and Demographic Economics / Demographic Economics / Marriage; Marital Dissolution; Family Structure; Domestic Abuse
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